Dental Implants Provide Natural Looking Results

A Versatile Restorative Solution

Dental implants come in a variety of forms, the most common being a root form implant. With this type of dental implant, an artificial tooth root is first placed into the jaw and allowed to heal into place over a period of four to eight months. The placement of the artificial root is performed in our office under oral sedation and local anesthetic. After the implant has fully healed into the jaw, a post is attached, which serves as a point of contact between the implant and the artificial tooth (crown).

In addition to replacing individual teeth, dental implants can support dentures or replace entire sets of upper or lower teeth. Implant-supported dentures are custom fitted and permanent so they do not produce discomfort, trap food particles, or slip out of place as can traditional dentures. The procedure involves placing multiple artificial tooth roots upon which the denture will be anchored.

Procedures Designed to Increase Bone Volume

Sometimes there is not enough available bone in the jaw to make the placement of a dental implant possible. This often results from a process known as resorption that occurs when teeth are missing. When this has taken place, Dr. Cabianca can perform a bone graft to increase the volume of the bone in the jaw. An onlay bone graft involves removing bone, usually from the chin or the very rear of the lower jaw, and placing it at the intended site of the implant. Bone grafts usually take about four months to heal, after which time the implants can be placed. Recent advances in bone grafting techniques enable people in nearly all of the various stages of tooth loss to benefit from dental implants.

Dr. Cabianca can also perform a procedure called a sinus augmentation to provide the upper posterior jaw with sufficient bone for a dental implant. The sinus augmentation procedure involves lifting the sinus and grafting bone underneath. This is a predictable method for increasing bone volume and has been used for more than two decades. Depending on your needs, Dr. Cabianca can use your own bone, synthetic grafting material, or a combination of both.

Certain individuals may be suited for an alternative to a sinus augmentation, known as a “Summer’s Lift.” In this procedure, the sinus membrane is carefully raised to make room for the implant without the need for a bone graft.

Why Should I Choose Dental Implants?

One of the primary reasons people seek dental implants is that implants provide an effective way to enhance personal appearance. By eliminating gaps in one’s smile, dental implants help people attain the confidence that comes only from looking one’s best. In addition to this invaluable aesthetic benefit, dental implants offer several functional benefits:

• By stimulating the bone, implants help maintain bone, thereby eliminating the potential for future bone loss. Removable dentures, because they simply fit over the gums, do not prevent the jawbone from deteriorating. This alteration of jaw structure can lead to ill-fitting dentures that are uncomfortable and create embarrassment by slipping out of place.
• Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant allows the surrounding teeth to be preserved rather than ground down as when bridges are placed. Sometimes this grinding process can result in a need for additional treatment, such as root canal therapy on the treated teeth. Additionally, decay can develop underneath a bridge that is not properly maintained.
• Implants make eating easier and more enjoyable by providing a person with nearly all of his or her natural chewing strength. Whereas removable dentures provide a person with only 15 - 20 percent of their ability to chew, dental implants are estimated to restore almost 90 percent of a person’s chewing capacity.
• Dental implants help to preserve a person’s ability to taste and enjoy foods whereas a full upper denture inhibits the ability to taste because it covers the mouth’s palate.
• Dental implants prevent gum problems from occurring when the teeth on either side of a missing tooth shift from their natural position.
• Unlike dentures, implants do not require you to have a steady supply of powders, pads, and cleaners on hand at all times to keep them clean. Implants require very little care beyond that of your natural teeth.

Although it is not always possible to predict or guarantee the long-term results of the implant procedure, individual case studies have shown modern dental implants to last for more than 20 years. Additionally, success rates of more than 95 percent are not uncommon.

Contact Dr. Cabianca for Recognized Expertise in Dental Implants

Dr. Cabianca devotes much of his time to providing treatment involving dental implants to patients within his practice and patients referred to him by his colleagues. Implant treatment involves special diagnostic, surgical, and prosthetic knowledge. Dr. Cabianca usually provides all Phases of Implant Treatment for his patients in his office unless a referring dentist wishes to complete the prosthetic phase. Dr. Cabianca assists his referring colleagues as necessary with prosthetic treatment. If you would like to learn more about dental implants and how they can help to restore your beautiful smile, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cabianca.